9



Neither the Bullfinches nor the Goldfinches were quite in

show form : probably a month later they would have looked

decidedly better. The Chaffinches, on the other hand, were a

remarkably fine lot ; the first and second prize-winners being

especially fine specimens. There was also a good collection of

Linnets and the competition was very keen. The winner of the

first prize was a grand bird, in splendid feather and very steady.

Several others, however, ran it very close.


The Twites and Redpolls also formed a large class, a

grand specimen of the former species taking the first prize. A

very large Redpoll, unusually light on the breast, although an

undoubted specimen of A. rufescens, was a good second.


Class 6 (Siskins) contained some very nice birds. The

winner of the first prize was a very highly-coloured bird, and

strongly suggested colour feeding. The second was equally

good, but not so bright in colour.


Class 7 (All other species of Resident Finches and

Buntings). This class contained chiefly Hawfinches and

Yellow Buntings. The first prize-winner—a Hawfinch—was a

very fine specimen, in beautiful plumage. A very bright Yellow-

hammer was second. Miss Hopwood’s Reed-bunting was a very

fair specimen, and there was also a Cirl Bunting—a species far

more common in many parts than is usually supposed.


The Class for Migratory Finches and Buntings consisted

chiefly of Bramblings, The first prize winner was far the best,

being unusually rich in colour for the time of the year. A nice

Mealy Redpoll was second, the other prizes going to Bramble-

finches.


The Skylarks were not a large class, but the few there

were,were of great merit. Mr. May’s bird,which was placed first,

was one of the best Larks I have ever seen. The Robins were

good: the first and second prize winners being beauties, but not

so steady as they might have been. Some grand Blackbirds

were shown : the winner of the first prize being, to my mind,

quite perfedt.


Song-thrushes were also an especially fine class, and there

was little to choose between the winners of the first three prizes.

The Starlings did not form a large class, but were of very good

quality; Mr. Fulljames’ “Jacob”—the first-prizewinner—is an

old friend and an exceedingly nice bird.


Class 14 (Magpies, Jackdaws, Jays and Choughs).—Mr.

Fulljames’ Chough was a perfect specimen, and well deserved

the first place of honour. The second prize went to a nice Magpie,



